N.J. Supreme Court Rules on Camden EMS

The New Jersey Supreme Court on Tuesday denied a petition by Virtua Health Inc. to block implementation of a law that was ruled unconstitutional by a judge last month but that has allowed Cooper University Hospital to take over emergency medical services in Camden while Cooper pursues an appeal.

Until this month, Virtua had provided paramedic services in Camden for nearly 40 years. It continues to provide those services in more than 70 municipalities in Camden and Burlington Counties.

However, a law enacted in July by the Democratic-controlled Legislature and Gov. Christie stripped Virtua of its authority to administer paramedic services in Camden City and allowed Cooper to take over. Virtua sued the state over the summer.

Also under the law, Cooper this month began providing basic life services - such as CPR, administered by emergency medical technicians, or EMTs - in the city. Newark-based University Hospital previously provided basic life services in Camden.

In December, a state judge ruled that the law was unconstitutional "special legislation" and ordered the state to halt its implementation.

Subsequently, an Appellate Division panel issued a stay on the lower-court judge's decision, allowing the law to proceed while Cooper sought an appeal.

The Supreme Court declined to change course on Tuesday. The litigation will continue before the Appellate Division.

In a statement, Virtua CEO Richard P. Miller said he was disappointed with the decision but added that the hospital's paramedics would be "ready to resume providing Advanced Life Support (ALS) services for the City of Camden should we be granted the opportunity."

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@AndrewSeidman